Jon:
White Harbor was large and impressive, it seemed to never end as Jon looked out at it. He'd heard of cities that went on as far as the eye could see and that homed thousands of people, but he didn't think it would be like this. It smelled strongly of the sea, and he figured it was due to the large sea that stretched out behind it. The city looked clean enough from this distance, most roofs looked grey and the cobble stoned streets seemed to shine white. Jon had heard once that a very distant cadet branch of the Starks held land in White Harbor. He remembered maester Luwin saying that they were in the same position as the Arryns of Gulltown, and were little more than merchants and guard captains.
"Is it what you thought it'd be?" Asked Lawrence Snow who stopped his white mount beside Jon's own grey courser.
Jon didn't really know what to think. "It's larger than I thought. But it does smell better too." Stannis had sent dozens of letters to Wyman Manderly trying to bring him to terms, but Wyman wouldn't discuss it with a Baratheon. Jon had been sent as the token Stark, as Godry Farring japed behind Jon's back. The Manderlys were also noted as being the most faithful of the Northern Lords, his father had even made a point of explaining that to Robb. Jon had heard that they wouldn't take a side between Stannis and the Boltons because the Lannisters still had his son. So Jon truly didn't know if their was anything he could do to solve this, but he had to try. "No reason to keep staring at the walls." He exclaimed before reining his horse to a slow trot down the road.
Stannis had offered to send any knights Jon wanted with him, but Jon preferred to keep the R'hllor fanatics away from himself. So he brought Lawrence Snow the bastard of Hornwood, brave little Willum Slate, Karl Stout who is Jonelle Cerwyn's new husband, and the old warrior Brodrick Harclay. Jon wanted to bring Black Donnel Flint with him, but he knew that he had to leave someone he could trust with Val in case she got into trouble. Their marriage in his father's godswood had been a quiet affair with only Stannis, his guards, and the northern lords who appeared for it. Val had told him of a practice where a man and woman lay with each other before the weirwood, but it had been far too cold and the snow nearly reached Jon's shins when they said their vows.
"If we plan to stay at an inn, I'd advise we avoid the Lazy Eel. If the seven hells are real then at least one level is that bloody place." Warned Karl Stout who led them to the gates. He was the only one of their group who had been to White Harbor before, so Jon took him at his word, though he didn't think they would have need of an inn.
"Is that the place you told me about this morn?" Lawrence asked in a chuckle. "The place with o'hores so old that they could tell me of my grandfather's cock?"
Jon couldn't help himself and added his own chuckle to the chorus of northern laughter. "He told me the wine was viler than frog's puss. Though I'd be lying if I didn't want to test myself on it." Said the Slate boy.
"I hope you're talking about the wine and not the women." Jon jested back, and in response Willum stuck his tongue out at him.
Their fun didn't seem to faze Brodrick Harclay who warned them. "Gatemen seem a tad bit nervous." Jon looked at what he meant. The men who stood before the open city gate, wore blue green woolen tunics embroidered with merman over hauberks of shiny ringmail.
"Lawrence, raise the standard." Jon ordered him. The bastard of Hornwood rose the Stark banner on Jon's order to show the men that they were friends and not foes. To Jon's relief they did seem to lose some tension when they saw the banner flapping in the sea air.
"State your business with that Stark banner." Asked a man who was obviously in some place of importance, as he wore a helmet that resembled a creature that was half fish and half man.
Jon meant to speak up for himself, but Brodrick answered for him. "This is Lord Jon Stark. He is your liege's lord and you owe him proper respect." It was abrasive and blunt, but it did seem to make the mermen take much more notice.
The supposed leader of the garrison nodded his head before he looked Jon up and down as if he were studying him. "Aye, we heard you were arriving any day now." He walked over to a tanned horse and climbed up it. "Follow me Lord Stark, my cousin Lord Wyman has asked me to escort you to New Castle."
Jon followed after the man and he heard his companions fall in behind himself. "May I have your name, Ser?"
"It's Ser Marlon, Lord Stark." Marlon Manderly replied back. Though he seemed to be in a foul mood due to his tone, Jon wasn't sure if the man was always like this or if he had irked him in some manner. Jon had to admit that he didn't wish to anger the man, as Marlon Manderly was tall brute of a man that easily towered over him, and Jon wagered that the man weighed five or more stones than himself.
Jon didn't dare turn back to look at his companions who were still jesting back and forth with each other. Jon just couldn't risk their escort finding anymore offence or signs of weakness, and Jon figured Brodrick was doing the same. "Looks like we won't get to learn how big your forefathers were, sorry Snow." Japed Willum Slate. For a quick moment Jon thought Karl was speaking to him before he remembered that he was no longer a snow, but a true Stark.
"Have you ever been to White Harbor, Lord Stark?" Marlon asked him in a flat and inattentive voice.
"I haven't truthfully, but it is impressive though."
Marlon seemed to find some accusation in Jon's words as he said back in an accusatory manner. "Did you think it wouldn't be so? The Manderlys are known as the richest house in the North."
"That is quite apparent to us all, Ser Marlon." Exclaimed Karl Stout who was now paying full attention to this game of words Marlon was waging. "We've met before, it was at Wylis Manderly's thirtieth name day celebration. I believe that was almost six years ago."
"Odd, I don't seem to recall you."
Karl let out a polite chuckle. "I was much younger then so it's expected, but my name is Karl of house Stout. Or I suppose it was Stout, but now that my lady wife has blessed me with her name, and taken me as her consort. It's Karl of the prestigious house Cerwyn." It was a feeble attempt at a jest, but he was brave to attempt one at all.
And yet it still didn't scratch Marlon's stern and frankly cold demeanor. "I see my sister's disgrace is with you all." He made no effort to hide his distaste when he said it, and Jon was just waiting for him to spit right after for all the anger it held.
Jon didn't know exactly what he was talking about though. But Jon did reason that this couldn't go any worse than it has, so he took the bait Marlon laid. "I'm sorry, but I don't understand your meaning, Ser?"
Marlon chuckled in a incredulous way and turned on his horse to look back at them. "My sister was Donella Hornwood, and my goodbrother was the father of that whelp with you." For all the anger it seemed his voice had for the 'whelp'. His anger rose to new peaks when he said 'goodbrother'.
Lawrence Hornwood didn't know what to say, which seemed to be a feeling shared by all. Though Jon didn't think any of them felt so stupid as he did right then. I never should have brought him, why didn't I remember who his father's wife was? Jon kicked himself over his oversight and feeling of discomfort as he rode, but thankfully it turned into a silent ride to New Castle after that. Which all were deeply thankful for, namely Jon and Lawrence, who was still only a boy of two and ten.
As they approached the exit of the city which led to the New Castle, Jon admired how grand it looked up on it's hill. It was no scratch on Winterfell, but it was a white castle that seemed to shine in the backdrop of grey that was the sky. The merman sigil of house Manderly flew proudly on each of it's five wide and square towers, and the snow had all been cleared off of the steps leading to the castle. After they had climbed the steps on their steeds, a compliment of what looked to be household guards spread out and lined themselves up to greet Jon and his followers. Each man had a pristine blue-green merman cloak, and a trident in their right hand while silver shield rested in their left. Jon had been enamored with their uniqueness, before Willum had alerted him to the three rotting heads mounted on the castle walls white walls. Though the heads were less intriguing than what laid underneath them, which was the standards of house Frey tied to the wooden shafts that held the heads up. One head in particular looked to be the favorite of the gulls who had plucked both eyes out and had eat part of a cheek, it was difficult to look beyond the carnage, but he could see a silky beard on it. The whole scene did give Jon hope however that Lord Manderly was no longer with the Crown.
After being led to the stables; which rested inside the castle's foregrounds right before the castle's front entrance. Jon couldn't help but notice how heavily armed and armored all the household guards were. "You'll need to leave your weapons outside." Marlon informed them just as he climbed down from his hand and right before his hand slid down to the hilt of his own silver handled blade.
"Why is that?" Brodrick Harclay asked in an accusatory manner, as he didn't seem at all willing to part with his double sided felling axe.
"No disrespect intended, but it's for the safety of our Lord." Explained Marlon, though that answer didn't satisfy anyone. Especially not Jon, who remembered the same deception being played by the Freys on his brother Robb and his bannermen.
A feminine voice rang out from the top of the stairs leading inside of the castle. "You needn't fear treachery, Lord Stark. We Manderlys remember our debts and our oldest and truest friends." The girl was dressed in a dress so blue it looked like it was made from the sky itself. But Jon was sure that everyone of them was drawn to the strange braid of green hair that was hanging off her shoulder. "You can all leave your weapons on your horses if you don't trust my uncle Marlon with them." The girl's voice was rather high pitched, though it wasn't the worst Jon had ever heard.
Jon shot all of the men and Willum a look that told them, 'just do as they wish'. Jon didn't like leaving Longclaw behind, but he didn't fear anyone would steal his sword, just his life. "My name is Jon Stark, my lady ..." He paused to discern her name.
The girl attempted a curtsy for Jon, and even though in truth it looked rough and shoddy, he felt the attempt itself was charming. "My name is Wylla, you might know my father as Wylis Manderly?"
Jon didn't know the man besides his name, but he did know the rumors which said he was still held prisoner by the Lannisters. "Sadly I have not met him in person I'm afraid. But I would like to one day, he was said to be very loyal to my brother Robb."
A bright and toothy smile broke on Wylla's face. "You can meet him him today if you wish, Lord Stark." With of wave of her hand she motioned for Jon and his companions to follow her into the castle. All while Ser Marlon and the armed guards followed behind them closely, with their weapons at the ready.
"I didn't know Lord Wylis was back, I had heard he was still held captive down south." As they walked through the halls of the castle Jon himself had felt compelled to stop and admire some of the trophies they hung on their walls. Which consisted of rusty weapons hanging over inscriptions that no doubt told their tales, and of pieces that looked like they broke off of some mighty warship.
"It required a great sacrifice on my families side, but in the end all that matters is family. Would you not agree, Lord Stark?" She didn't sound so sure herself, but Jon did realize that the girl was much wiser than her years would suggest.
"I would, take it from someone who has lost everyone. It is the worst pain imaginable, to lose someone you love." Jon's heart wandered to his family and Ygritte as he said it, though in his head Val was all he could actually see anymore.
Wylla seemed intrigued by his answer, so she asked him a tough question that Jon himself had struggled with his entire life. "Even more than honor?" Jon struggled to give her an answer, but none came to him.
It had only taken a few more moments before they all reached the grand hall, and grand was it ever. Wylla called it the Merman's Court and that is exactly what it looked like to Jon, as a myriad of ocean dwelling creatures were painted on the floors, walls, and even ceilings. There were many less people there than Jon thought there would be. He counted roughly only ten or twenty people, not including the guards, or Wylla. Sitting atop the dais on a large cushioned throne was one of the fattest men Jon had ever seen in his life. Jon knew it wasn't kind, but Stannis' name for the man came flooding back into his mind, and he had to resist the urge to smile dumbly. 'Lord-Too-Fat-to-Sit-a-Horse' and Gods if he wasn't. From Jon's estimate he couldn't have been less than twenty stone, and it would surprise him to learn that he was thirty.
"Now introducing, the most honorable Lord Jon of House Stark." Announced a fair haired man in the court who Jon guessed was the herald, though in truth Jon didn't know why he needed such a grandiose entrance in such a private venue.
Wyman Manderly seemed to be studying Jon closely, while his fat sausage like fingers beat against the white gold handles of his throne. "Welcome to my home, Lord Stark. I hope the snows didn't trouble you." He exclaimed in a kind voice after a brief and momentary pause.
Jon knew to be wary around the man, so he made sure to keep himself guarded. "Not at all, Lord Manderly. I must tell you that your castle is most beautiful. Easily one of the greatest I have ever stepped foot in." He said with his best and most charming smile.
The creases of fat on Wyman's face sunk deep when smiled back down at Jon. "While that is most kind, I do believe my granddaughters would have preferred those words directed towards them." When he said it, Wylla's face turned crimson and her eyes darted down to her feet. While a brunette girl beside her paled, but managed not to look away.
"Any man would be lucky to have either of them, my Lord." Jon exclaimed while he gave bright and kind smiles to each of the two girls. He had wanted to reassure them, but it seemed to have the opposite effect as the girl beside Wylla even had to look away then.
"But not you, Lord Stark?" Wyman asked with a look of pure confusion on his round face.
Jon knew that the man had to have known the truth, but he played along all the same to save face. "I'm already married, I'm afraid."
Wyman let out a small and uncomfortable chuckle that was shared with all the others in the hall. "Aye, we've heard of your ... lady wife. A wildling woman if the rumors are to be believed. How exciting I imagine."
"She is, and I love her quite fiercely." Jon wanted to make his stance known on this matter, lest they make any offhanded comments before him. Because Jon didn't know if he would be able to hear any offence directed to her in peace. "You know why I'm here, Lord Wyman. So have you made your choice?"
The Lord of New Castle then shifted uncomfortably on his throne. His face showed a range of emotions that consisted of sadness and grief. "I admit it's been a struggle for me, as I've hardly been able to eat a bite for near a fortnight straight. I have heard some very troubling things about this Stannis Baratheon and his faith of fire, and it worries me greatly."
"I can promise you that all of the rumors against him are false." Jon had been dealing with this for quite sometime already, as all of the Northern Lords heard rumors of Stannis having forced wildlings to convert and burn weirwoods, Jon assured them all that he wouldn't force them to convert, and that their godswood were safe.
"Are they? Is it not true that he burns men alive, Lord Stark?" Wyman asked Jon naively and it angered him a tad as if he didn't know the truth for himself.
Jon himself had always protested the burnings as cruelty and blind zealously, but Stannis usually ignored Jon's council even though he himself agreed with that sentiment. "Traitors and enemies, yes."
Wyman's face then took on a look of true fear, though Jon felt it was mocking at best and insulting at worst. "And it is me in the unfortunate position of being his enemy now, isn't it?"
"But you don't have to be, Lord Wyman. That is why I've come here today, I wish for the Manderlys and Starks to be brothers in arms once again." Jon remembered hearing stories of the debt the Manderlys claim to forever owe to the Starks. His father personally had always held Lord Wyman Manderly himself in high esteem.
Wyman made of show of looking around the room, but more specifically at Jon and his companion's feet. "I heard you possessed a direwolf, but I don't see him with you on this day. Why is that pray tell?"
Jon turned back to look at his companions who were all just as tense as himself, but none so much as Brodrick who looked quite angry and not scared. After turning forward to look at Lord Wyman who still wore a bright and inquisitive smile, Jon told him. "I left Ghost back at Winterfell with my wife." It still felt strange for Jon to say it out loud, but she was his wife and he knew that he had to get used to saying it.
"That is unfortunate." Wyman exclaimed with a deep frown. "I had hoped to see it for myself. The rumors of them say that they can grow to be as big as horses." Wyman looked down at the others in his court and pointed down at the girl beside Wylla. "I know my granddaughter, Wynafryd wished it see it as well."
Jon looked at the girl who had brown hair pulled back in a long braid and gave her another kind smile. Which was one that she didn't return and instead her eyes drifted to a crab painted on the floor. "Mayhaps next time, but I still need your answer, Lord Wyman."
Wyman bobbed his head several times over, and his face soon turned to a frown after the fourth or fifth time bounce. "Unfortunately, I have not made my decision yet."
It was frustrating Jon to no end, how leisurely and absentmindedly Wyman spoke to him. "And when will that be, Lord Wyman? I can only stay for two more days and I need to have an answer before I leave."
"Rest assured, I believe I will have made my mind by tomorrow's dawn." Wyman looked down to his servants and ordered to them. "Bring Lord Stark and his companions to their rooms. I'm sure they are all very tired from their rides."
Jon begrudgingly followed them out of the Merman's Court. While they walked throughout the castle, Jon had heard Lawrence whisper to Karl. "Not one person in the court would meet my gaze."
"I know, it was the same for me." Admitted Karl Stout who had a look of dead man as he followed after Jon. "This place isn't safe, they didn't even offer us bread and salt." Karl whispered to Jon as he walked so close behind him that if Jon had stopped then he would have knocked him over.
Jon realized that too, though he had thought and hoped it just slipped Lord Wyman's mind. "Keep on your guard." Jon advised him without another word. The servants leading them hadn't spoken one word amongst themselves. Jon figured they were just listening closely, and hoping to hear something to report back to their lord for a pat on the head.
They all had separate rooms and all were very far apart and in different parts of the castle. Brodrick had been brought to a lower room in the west, while Lawrence was housed in a southern tower, and Willum had been housed in a northern tower. He never learned where they led Karl as they split up on the way to Jon's chambers in the eastern quadrant. The man who led him there seemed kind enough and even conversed with Jon about the city and the Manderlys on the walk throughout the castle. His name was Halder and he looked to be nearing his sixtieth year Jon thought, and the man had long snow white hair that balded on the center but was pulled behind his shoulders. Jon asked him about Lord Wyman's son Wylis, and he was informed of how he had only come home a few days prior.
"Here it is, M'lord." Announced Halder as he opened the door to Jon's rooms. "It has always been kept especially for the Starks. No one else is permitted to stay here, but the head of your house." It did look quite decadent and looked like it could hold a small family, as it had five rooms connecting to the center solar. The direwolf of house Stark had been embedded within the stone floor with what looked to be seashells, with onyx stones for the eyes that seemed to be a big as Jon's fists. Jon however held off his vocal judgement until he had a walk through each of the rooms, and he made sure he kept his eyes open to any treachery all the while. "It was made in such a way, that from one window you can see all of White Harbor, while in another you can see the mighty Wolf's Den."
"So you can." Jon exclaimed and truthfully he did feel that it was all very impressive. It did show him how much the Manderlys value, or valued the Starks at one point. Though he couldn't tell which it was any longer. "It's beautiful, I must admit that. I am truly honored that the Manderlys favor my family in such a way."
Halder bowed his head and smiled like a kindly old man should smile, Jon thought. "They remember very well the debt that they will forever owe to the Starks. Their family was taken in and fostered when they were at their lowest, and not only that, but the Starks of old gifted them their most important city." Halder walked over to a mahogany table that dominated the corner of the room and dusted it off with a cloth of white silk. "They owe all their wealth and happiness to your ancestors, and as such they are taught at a young age to honor and respect the direwolf." His smile hung in the air even after he turned back to Jon from his dusting. "Poor Wylis will never be the same after all that he suffered fighting down south for our King Robb."
Jon felt a pang his chest at hearing them still refer to his brother as 'King Robb'. For a king he should have been. Jon thought to himself privately even to this day, and even after all Stannis has done for him. "You told me that he had returned, but I did not see him in court today. Is he not well?"
The old man's face crinkled in pain then, but not for long. "My Lord Wylis has seen better days I'm afraid, but he is getting healthier and better everyday he spends with his family. So with the Seven's blessing, he will get back to the Wylis of old." Halder stuffed the silk cloth back in his belt and led Jon into the master bedchamber. "Do you know what he asked Lord Wyman when he first stepped off of the ship that carried him home?" Jon shook his head as Halder searched around the room for anything that looked to not be pristine and perfect. "He said, 'when will we avenge our King.' It made my old heart ache it did, almost as much as when we got news of poor Wendel's murder. And it only got worse when those thrice damned Frey's tried to feed us their fables of the Red Wedding. They told us stories of how the northmen turned into beasts of old, and of how they were merely defending themselves."
"I've heard their stories myself. How could they possibly think anyone would believe them? It was simple lunacy and stupidity."
"It was. When we heard news of what happened at Winterfell, we disposed of the Freys who were sent here to watch us." Halder explained as he walked over to a window near the corner of the room and pointed out to the walls. "There they are now." Jon looked at where he directed and it was to the three heads he saw on his journey into the castle. "They thought that they were to have Wylis' daughters. Used to jape and jest of the night they would take their maidenheads, in full hearing of all. Lord Wyman was forced to sit and listen to their filth all the while or else his son would be harmed. M'ladies Wynafryd and Wylla suffered worse I'm afraid, as they had to deal with their lecherous ways. Because of their love for their father they couldn't object and needed to act interested and happy with the match."
"And yet now they are dead, and still they sent you back Wylis. Why is that? Did they really think you would uphold their peace after all that had happened?" Jon wondered and it seemed like this man had the answers he sought.
Halder shrugged his shoulders weakly. "I'm simply a servant, M'lord. A very old one, but still just a servant. So unfortunately I don't have the answers you seek." Halder gave one last look around the room and he seemed to be proud of what he saw then. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have other rounds to make before supper." He walked past Jon and back into the solar of the rooms.
Jon followed him back out of the bedchamber and asked. "Will you be coming back to escort me to supper?"
The old servant stopped dead and spun back around to Jon with a flushed look and very twitchy fingers. "Unfortunately, the dining hall is in much disrepair at the moment. Most are taking their suppers in their rooms, for at least the next moon. So I will be the one bringing you supper tonight, I hope that is acceptable?"
Odd, I didn't hear noises of construction throughout our entire walk of the castle. Though we did stay clear of the center. "It sounds like that is out of my hands, I however would like to visit my companions. Could you show me to Karl Stout's room if it is not too much of a burden?"
"I'm not sure I know that man?" Halder exclaimed in a serious tone.
"He was the last man with us before we split up." Jon reminded the old servant while studying him closely for any signs of deceit.
Halder nodded his head and hung his mouth wide open showing off his missing and rotting head of teeth. "Ahh yes, he was the proud looking man with black hair, correct?" Jon nodded as it sounded right, though arrogant and vain fitted Karl more than proud. Jon did like the man truthfully, but his stories and the way he extols his past adventures wore thin on Jon the very first night of their ride to White Harbor. "I'm afraid I don't know where he is staying, but I could inquire of your behalf to locate him."
"I could just go find him myself, I don't want to trouble you if you have a job to accomplish." Jon made to step past the servant who blocked the door with his body.
"M'lord Manderly has made it quite clear that he doesn't want guests to be wandering the castle with all the work being done on it." Halder flashed another kind smile to project a neutral stance to Jon. "But after I make my rounds, I would be more than pleased to escort around the castle."
Jon felt like it wasn't meant to be a question, and that was why Halder didn't leave it open ended. "Fine, that would be more than acceptable." Without another word exchanged between them, Halder bowed out of the room and shut it behind him. Jon felt an urge to just leave anyway, but he knew that it wouldn't serve to improve Manderly's mood if he was found out. So Jon sat himself at the balcony overlooking White Harbor instead and stared out at the waves crashing against the shore. The port was for the most part rather empty and it didn't look like the workers planned on ships anytime soon, as Jon couldn't see anyone on the docks besides fishermen.
Jon didn't know how long he sat there for, but he did know that the sun was still high in the sky when started, but now it was gone and the moon was shining dimly over the white city. He had wondered if the servant had forgotten about him or if he never planned to return, when a knock echoed off of his door followed by Halder's voice. "Supper, M'lord Stark."
"Come in." Jon told him as he got up from the stone chair and stretched all his stiffness out.
When the door opened, Halder walked in with two silver platters balancing precariously on his palms. "Sorry to keep you waiting, M'lord. But your supper has arrived." Halder then placed both trays down on the large table and smiled expectantly at Jon.
After walking back into the room and taking a seat, Halder removed the lids and exposed Jon's foodstuffs. "What is all this?" Jon asked in a chuckle of confusion. As the food set down before him couldn't be meant for him as piled on the first tray was nearly ten thick cuts of what looked to be boar. While circles of pomegranates, lemons, and limes surrounded the tray like a wall. Jon knew just by looking at it that it could feed a family of six smallfolk and leave them leftovers for stew the next day.
"Is something wrong?" Halder asked as if everything about the portions were correct and normal.
Jon chuckled again as he looked at how thick the cuts were as they looked to be nearly the width of his thumb each. "I can't possibly eat all of this. it's far too much food."
Halder smiled and looked down at the portions. "Eat what you can, M'lord. I didn't know how hungry you would be, I do humbly apologize for assuming what you would want."
"No need, it looks delicious. It was just too much food is all." Jon wished that he had a meal of that size when they were freezing in the crofters village however, as those nights where he slept with an empty belly were nights he never wanted to relive. "Did you forget that I needed you to bring me to my friend?"
The old man's face twinged in shock and he bowed his head humbly before Jon. "I am so sorry, M'lord. The castle was just in such a ruckus at the moment it slipped my mind. But how about I give you the full tour of the New Castle and the Wolf's Den on the morn?"
Jon picked up his dinner fork and knife and sized up the best way to delve into his feast. "Whats wrong with after supper?"
"I suppose that could be done, but this was last stop before my shift was over. I had hoped to go back to the city and see my grandbabies, but it can be done-"
"I won't keep you from your family just to sate my curiosity, as you said you can escort me later." Jon didn't truly want to hinder this old man and steal him from his family. After cutting a chunk of the boar and chewing on it, Jon's mouth exploded with the sweet flavor brought on by the fruit.
Halder bowed his head again and removed the second lid to the silver platter which contained a crystal pitcher and one golden goblet bejeweled with black sapphires, red rubies, and white diamonds. "M'lord is far too kind. May I pour you some arbor gold?"
Arbor gold? If Lord Wyman isn't trying to charm me I don't know what his game is. "That would be fine." Jon told the man who then filled the cup to the brim. "You don't need to stand around and wait for me to finish eating, go and enjoy your family." Jon ordered the old man. Halder didn't argue and did as just as he was bid, but not before telling Jon that he would collect his leftovers in the morn.
The food was good and Jon surprised himself by finishing a fourth of it and three glasses of arbor gold. And after standing from the table, Jon's bed called for him like a siren would to sailors at sea. He tucked himself under the covers and his body thanked him as he sunk down into the soft bed. The wine had taken quite an effect on him as he struggled to remember Val's face or even how it felt to be inside her. With a quick turn of his side Jon found his sleep soon after.
He woke in a fright somewhere in the night, when it was he didn't know as the moon was still high in the sky. "Open up, quickly!" Called out a voice while a banging battered his door. "Quickly, Lord Stark." The high pitched voice urged him out of his comfortable and tempting bed.
After stumbling out of his bed, Jon thought he heard a shout from outside his balcony, but he was more focused on making it to his door without falling. "What is it?" Jon asked after he finally made it to his door. Jon unbolted his door and opened it to see Wylla Manderly standing before him in a pure white shift while her green hair flowed freely down her back. "Wylla Manderly?" Jon asked in confusion as the girl pushed past him and closed the door.
"What took you so long?" She complained as she bolted the door shut. "Didn't you hear me calling?" Wylla then placed her head against his door and listened closely. It seemed she was satisfied because soon after she ran past him further into the room.
Jon followed her in a half drunken stumble and asked. "What the hell are you doing here? It's the middle of the night, girl. You should be sleeping and not sneaking into married men's rooms." Jon felt she had some type of crush on him, but he never thought she would be so bold as this.
When he said it however, he felt like an idiot due to the look she gave him and the way her eyes rolled. "Don't you hear them? The small ginger who was with you was screaming his head off not too long ago." Just as she said it, another loud howl rung out and to Jon's horror it was Brodrick's voice, which sobered him quickly and sponged away the haziness of his mind.
"What treachery is your grandfather doing?" Jon demanded as he grabbed Wylla tightly by the shoulders. "Tell me!" Jon screamed as Wylla hesitated under his grip.
The girl look frightened at first, but soon her eyes took on a look of fire and courage. "All I know is that your men are being rounded up and dragged away. The ginger boy's screams woke me and I came here immediately after to warn and help you."
Jon didn't want to believe her, but he felt compelled to when she wouldn't back down or cower under his gaze. After all why would she come to him before the soldiers could unless her intentions were pure, Jon knew that he could overpower her and use her as a bargaining chip otherwise. "How can you help me?" Jon asked as he released her.
A small smile tinged her lips before she turned away and led him into another bedchamber though this one was meant for children. Just to be sure, Jon closed the door and tipped a cabinet over in front of it to make sure any pursuers would have a rough time. When he looked around the room, he saw Wylla leaning into a fireplace. "Come and help me, I can't get it open." Wylla complained and Jon walked to her and nudged her from his way to see what she was talking about. "Can you see it? It's just an iron handle, pull on it and it should give way."
"Aye, I see it." Jon informed her as he struggled to pull on it. The whole space was snug and Jon barely could fit without moving. "I got it." Jon exclaimed as it pulled the hatch up and revealed a hole and ladder that descended. "What is this-"
Wylla pushed past him and climbed down into it. "Quickly, we don't have much time. Just climb down after me." She commanded him before disappearing down into the black abyss. After he hesitated she screamed back up. "Now, Lord Stark!"
Jon knew that he didn't have any choice, but to trust the girl unless he wanted to be captured and killed. After descending down the rickety and wobbling ladder, Jon felt his bare feet touch down on the extremely cold stone floor. I should have put my boots on. Jon still felt a slight stumble in his steps and try as he did to find Wylla in the darkness he simply couldn't. "Wylla where did you go?"
Her voice seemed distant, but she did call out to him. "This way and quickly." As did as she bid and stumbled further into the darkness. When he drew near to her, he could see her petite frame outlined. "Grab my hand and keep up." She demanded and before he could comply she grabbed him the wrist and dragged him along. "The tunnel should take us to the Wolf's Den right below the stables. Most of the men stationed there were called here to welcome you to White Harbor. So I'm sure we can make it there before they do with your friends."
"How did you know about this? And why are you helping me, shouldn't you obey your grandfather?"
Wylla hesitated and remained silent for a good long while of their jog through the dark tunnel. "Me and my sister used to play here as children and pretend to be the wife of a Stark. Eventually she found the hatch and later in life we realized that it was one of the mystical tunnels our father told us about." Suddenly they came to a stop and Wylla reached out with her hand and tapped another wooden ladder. "And to your second question, I remember well the stories my grandfather instilled in us as children about the loyalty we owe your family." Wylla stood out his way then and pulled on his arm. "Now climb, you'll need to lift the next hatch I feel."
Jon then climbed up the ladder, which he felt was much taller than the former. The hatch to his relief was much looser than the one back in New Castle. "It's open." Jon exclaimed as he pulled himself out of the darkness and into what looked to be a stable of sorts. "Give me your hand." He told Wylla who did as he bid. After pulling her out and shutting the hatch, Jon creeped over to the low wall and looked out to the courtyard. What he saw was a obese man standing in the courtyard while his sausage like fingers wrapped around a horse's reins. "What is this?" Jon asked in a panic right before Wylla ran by him into the open.
"I brought him, Grandfather." Wylla exclaimed to Wyman Manderly, who had a face of happiness and relief when he saw her.
Wyman smiled at her and ruffled her loose hair. "I knew I could trust you, my girl." Wyman then looked over to Jon and called out to him. "Lord Stark, if you hope to escape this, then you must come and quickly at that."
Jon scanned the courtyard and didn't see anyone besides the two contrasting Manderlys. "What treachery have you committed, Lord Manderly? I came to you as a friend and you try to imprison me and my friends! I've heard all my life that your house is one of honor and loyalty, and is this the truth of it all?" Jon was furious and the flabby face of the Lord Lamprey looked perfect for Jon to express it on.
Though if Wyman was actually scared for his own safety and life he didn't show it visually. "I'm sorry for all that has happened, Lord Stark. But I was left with no choice."
"Why?"
"For my son, Lord Stark. He is my last child and I couldn't let him precede me to the grave." Wyman's face paled as he said it, but it didn't seem to break his vocals. "And yet this is not my only dishonor. My ancestors and Gods curse me, but I broke the vow I swore to your family." Wylla's own vision seemed to linger somewhere that was wasn't near Jon, as her grandfather continued. "Your brother Rickon is alive."
It hit Jon like a punch to the gut, but it wouldn't falter him. "Rickon? Where is he? Do you have him, tell me!" Jon demanded and it seemed to crush Wyman's soul even more.
"Gone and far away." Wyman admitted his shame before Jon, He seemed to be such a weaker and more fragile man now then he had been back in the Merman's Court. "There are dark magics returning to this world, horrible magics that I can't explain.
Jon was even angrier now, how dare Lord Manderly blame magic for his betrayal. "Tell me, where is my brother." Jon now longer asked the man, he told him. For he would either tell him the truth or Jon would make him.
"I couldn't trust anyone in my court, not even my own family besides Wylla here. I had Rickon brought back from hiding in Skagos, I used Stannis' smuggler Davos Seaworth to do it. I promised him my loyalty if he saved Rickon, and by the Gods I meant to keep that oath. However the day before Rickon arrived, a letter flew from Riverrun. The Dragon King knew about everything, I don't know if someone in my circle has turned traitor or if he can read my heart, but I swear to you he knew everything. He demanded that I send him Rickon Stark, and in return he would return my son. Refuse and he would end my male line with a swing of his own sword he promised. I fought over it for three days, and it is my shame to admit that I couldn't let my Wylis die. So I sent the Smuggler, Rickon, his wolf, and his wildling protectors down south. And not two days later, my Wylis stepped off his transport and returned to me."
"Grandfather, we can't have much time. Say what you must and send him away." Wylla exclaimed before she ran to the open gate to the once mighty fortress.
Wyman Manderly held the reins out to Jon and kept them there until Jon took them. "He offered to keep me and my city fed for all of winter if I captured you and gave you over to him. But I couldn't, I planned to before you showed up in my court. When you walked in and I looked upon your face, all I could see was your father looking back at me and it hurt my heart to no end."
"Then why all of this farce? You should have told when I first arrived!" Jon wanted desperately to strike this man for giving Rickon up to the enemy, but it seemed so heartfelt his body only let him climb the horse.
"I needed to make it look convincing just in case someone was watching, the letter warned of the Targaryen's wroth should I prove false, and I simply couldn't risk it. Your companions won't be harmed I can assure you, but now you need to flee back to your King and tell him of my treachery and you need to send your army here in retaliation. I will surrender to you after three days and you must judge me as if my attempt was true. I will take all blame, and it is me in the position of begging you to let it end at my life. Whatever you and your King choose to do, you must spare my family. That is all I ask of you."
"This is all lunacy, and you've lost your mind. I've seen magics first hand, and none of them are like what you speak of. Just tell your men to end this charade and we can work together. We can get my brother back." Jon didn't know what to think anymore, he seemed so genuine now, but he seemed genuine earlier in the day as well.
"They're coming!" Wylla screamed as she fled back to her grandfather's side. "He needs to go and we need to return to our rooms before we are spotted and it all ends."
Jon reared his horse, but he needed to know more. "What does he want with Rickon? Does he mean to harm him?"
"As I said dark magics are returning to the world. It spoke of a son for a son, rumors of a Hangwoman resembling the late Lady Stark are told in only whispers. But I would hurry back to your King and plan your next move. Now go, Lord Stark when you return for my head I'm sure we'll have time for all of your questions." Wyman then raised his hand and gave the horse a hard slap that sent it into a run.
We will, Lord Wyman. Jon promised as the horse sprinted through the gates and he turned it for the woods. Jon didn't even have time to notice before he climbed on, but he did notice while riding that it was his saddle along with his saddle bags on the horse. "I will get you back, Rickon. And no one will stop me from getting my family back this time." Jon promised the wind, Gods, his horse, and himself just as his hand found it's way to the familiar and comfortable grip of Longclaw.